On this beautiful sunlit Friday, Ellen Ward Scarborough opened her stunning Swan Lawn estate on First Neck Lane overlooking Lake Agawam for the Golden Gala Luncheon to honor Jean Remmel FitzSimmons and Ann Grimm, Chairs of Southampton Hospital's 50th Annual Summer Party.

Megan Kirkpatrick, Nancy Larsen, and Ellen Scarborough at the Golden Gala Luncheon. Photo by John Wegorzewski

The afternoon was co-hosted by the House of Buccellatti, Italy's word renowned silver and goldsmiths. And of course, Buccellatti had some of Southampton's prettiest young ladies to model their exquisite creations including Candy and Randy Udell of London Jewelers. Junior committee members modeled several stunning dresses by Luca Luca accessorized with Buccellatti jewels. Southampton Hospital CEO and President Robert Chaloner made a few opening remarks and quickly skedaddled as he noted, gentlemen had only been invited for cocktails, "It's a ladies lunch, so I'll leave you to your conversation".

With that, the ladies strolled across the lush lawn for a seated luncheon in a tent set in the middle of the vast property where the tables were trimmed in bright nautical blue and white with enormous bouquets of blue hydrangeas from Ellen's beautiful cutting gardens.

Among those there to toast the hard working chairs, both long-time supporters of the Hospital were Melanie Wambold, Debbie Bancroft, Andrea Greeven Douzet, Christine Gray, Judith Hadlock, Ali Hubbell, Priscilla Egan, Patricia Kennard, Megan Kirkpatrick, Maura Weissman, Christine Hofer, Danielle Kronemeyer, Jesse Araskog, Diane Holmes, Sheila Fuchs, Julie Kammerer, Faith Lovejoy, Nancy Larsen and Cindy Willis, who did an amazing job orchestrating the event.

As always, Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs did a splendid job on lunch and guests went home with a Stubbs & Wooten velvet pocket in their gift bags.

This Saturday, the Annual Dream Discover and Cure benefit came to the Hamptons headed by Dr. Mitchell S. Cairo, the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine and Pathology of Columbia University. Dream Discovery and Cure is a project providing information and fundraising initiatives in support of Dr. Ciaro's 25-year-long research to cure lethal childhood cancers, blood and immune diseases. In his words, "Dreaming Discovery and Cure is about raising the necessary resources in developing a cure for cancer with diseases including blood and neurological disorders."

Heather Abrams, a former patient of Dr. Cairo's, experienced his miracle personally. Speaking with her only helped us to believe even more that dreams really do come true! Going through the cocktail party, the wine and hors d'oeuvres seemed to hit the spot for many of the guests. The silent art auction and many other interesting packages were up for grabs and many took part in the bidding.

Kay Gilman, Herb Schmertz, and Tom Lampson at the Hamptons Designer Show- house. Photo by John Wegirzewski

Only in its eighth year, the Hamptons Designer Showhouse has become one of the most anticipated design events of the season. It opened this weekend to once again spotlight the best in interior design in a fantasy setting. As proceeds benefit the Southampton Hospital, this fantasy dream house gives back in great style.

This larger-than-life sized dream house of design, features the work of over 25 A-list interior designers, landscape architects and decorative artists including such design world stars as Bob Bakes, Christopher Maya, Kevin Hart, Douglas Graneto, Penelope Irwin, Jennifer Flanders,Kevin Hart, Kate Singer, and Lily Pulitzer.

The Showhouse is a shingle style mansion donated by Richard Cherardi and William Landberg of Sand Dollar Development Corp. This elegant, newly constructed 7,500-square-foot six-bedroom, six-and-a-half bathroom home sits on 1.4 acres of lush greenery in the loveliest section of Sagaponack.

Mrs. Alessandro di Montezemolo and Mrs. Mildred Brinn are the honorary co-chairs of the Showhouse. Mario Buatta is honorary gala chair. Showhouse veteran Gary Crain is honorary design chair and James Alan Smith is decorative arts chair.

The list of extraordinary talents participating include Interior Designers Bob Bakes of Bakes and Company, Christopher Maya of Christopher Maya, Inc., Douglas Graneto of Douglas Graneto Design, Penelope Irwin of Irwinteriors, Jennifer Flanders of Jennifer Flanders, Inc., Kate Singer of Kate Singer Home, Kevin Hart of Kevin Hart Design, Inc., Lilly Pulitzer, Katherine Newman of Lona Design, Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler of Mabley Handler Interior Design, Nancy Boszhardt of Nancy Boszhardt, Inc., Susan Calabria of Noli Design, Regina Kraft of Regina Kraft Interiors, Robert Stilin of Robert Stilin, LLC, Gail Shields Miller of Shields & Company Interiors, Sherrill Canet of Sherrill Canet Interiors, Ltd., Anne Tarasoff and Gail Tarasoff, Tarasoff Interiors. Decorative artists are Beth McNeill, McNeill Art Group, The Alpha Workshops Dianne Warne, Laurance Rassin, Moises Esquenazi & Associates, and Monica Rich Kosann. Landscape Design was created by Florentine Craftsmen and Whitmore Landscaping.

The Showhouse attendees not only include design fans but the designers themselves anxious to see what their colleagues created for this - the granddaddy of Hamptons showhouses. So it was no surprise to see so many veterans of previous years among the attendees. Especially popular with the crowd was Lilly Pulitzer's take on a poolside cabana - complete with cabana boy serving cocktails to a very thirsty throng and Kevin Hart's fabulous entry hall.

Ali Lenobel, Jennifer Gindin, Ashley Goodman, and Sara Lavipour at the Hamptons Happening. Photo by Merel Kailas

Enjoying the wonderful edibles from Andrea Corriale of Elegant Affairs were Peter and Jamee Gregory, Kay Gilman and Herb Schmertz, Michael Braverman, New York Times' Style Editor Suzanne Slesin, David Scott, Vincent Brandi, Louise Braver, Dorothy Frankel, KenWampler,Bonnie Aarons, Gregory D'Elia and scores more of the fashionable.

Headed west from the Showhouse, we dropped by the Fifth Annual Hamptons Happening at the home of Marcia and David Lavipour in Bridgehampton. The gourmet tasting event featured restaurants from the Hamptons and the city serving their signature dishes, ranging from sushi to BBQ, gazpacho to madeleines. Entertainment included a live auction and a casino with a Chinese raffle. The party was attended by 450 guests and raised a record $275,000 for the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation's support of cutting edge cancer research.

Benefit Co-Chairs were Laurie Schaffran and Marion Waxman. Committee members included Meg Axelrod, Vira Capeci, Dean and Kris Denninger, Helen Taylor Ginns, Robyn and Kenneth Joseph, Marcia Lavipour, Gale Meisenberg, Thomas Mikolasko, Lora Reichman, David Rozenholc, Diane Spilker, Debra Tanger, Janet Tekworth, and Dena K. Weiner with Joanna Steinberg as the Junior Committee Chair.

Alex McCord, Johna McCord-Van Kempen, and Simon Van Kempen at the Second Breath Of The Hamptons event. Photo by Hernan Cordoba.

The Diamond Ranch was the location for Bound For A Cure: The Second Breath Of The Hamptons annual benefit. It was the place where guests were welcomed to dance, enjoy the early evening, and participate in the live auction that helped the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. While all the kids enjoyed the arts and crafts and activities from the counselors at the Hampton Country Day Camp, adults had the opportunity to enjoy the live music from the Annie Morgan Band and the cocktails.

From 48 ways to contribute in the live auction, there was a two-night stay at the Surf Lodge in Montauk, a Getaway to the beautiful country of Costa Rica, a three-night stay for two at Canyon Ranch, Broadway packages, Barefoot Contessa products, Nets tickets, and many other choices to pick from for everyone.

Many attended this lovely event, among the names on the guest list were "The Real Housewives of New York City" Alex McCord, her husband Simon Van Kempen, and their son Johan McCord-Van Kempen. With the help of many businesses the benefit was a success, with every attendee having the chance to enjoy the live music, contribute for a great cause, and enjoy the great night with friends and family for the same great cause.

Notism founder Ron Burkhardt at Hamtpon Road Gallery. Photo by John Wegorzewski

Pulling ourselves away, we rushed back to Southampton to catch the tail end of Ron Burkhardt's first showing in years in the Hamptons at Peter Marcelle's Hampton Road Gallery. Despite the fact that six of the season's most glittering galas were occurring that same night, Ron pulled in over 300 of the East End's most prominent collectors and curators anxious to see where his muse had led him. They were not disappointed with the vibrant canvases on display that incorporated language, text and hieroglyphics in the body of the works. Particularly eye-catching was his East End map which featured not only the usual well-known landmarks and hotspots but the names of celebrated individuals in the arts community here.

After three years of exhibitions and awards in Europe, Brazil, California, Chicago, Palm Beach and Miami, it was wonderful to catch up with this brilliant artist. Burkhardt is the founder of the Notism abstract art movement, evolved hieroglyphics that form a unique visual record as he documents personal histories. In seeking to preserve intimate human writing, his primal work explores the power of words, symbols and language, and confronts the frenetic, multi-tasking overload of modern society.

Touted on NBC as "the newest form of art out there," and by art critic/curator Peter Frankas "an art form whose inexactitude is a crucial part of its beauty - with an impressive pedigree. Miro, Klee, Cy Twombly, Basquiat, and Jean Dubuffet could all have been 'notists' as it were." Heady company indeed, but true nonetheless.